Top 7 Interior Design Tips for a Thoughtfully Designed Home

SV Design’s interior design team shares their thoughts on what makes a home that is beautiful, comfortable, and uniquely yours.

From gabled roofs to color palettes and fireplaces to exposed beams, SV Design believes that home design should complement a client’s own personal style and be grounded in a sense of place. Our firm takes an integrated approach to harmonizing interior design with a home’s architecture. Because of this integrated business model, our interiors team is involved at the very beginning of projects to inform decisions that affect minute details – down to how your drapes hang or the color of your bathroom towels. The team also works on solely interior design projects, so whether you are designing a home from scratch or simply need a living room refresh, SV Design specializes in creating a high-end look and feel regardless of a client’s budget.

1. Start with the rug.

One insider tip from senior project manager, Shelby Littlefield, ASID, is to start with the rug and move on to bigger items like window treatments and upholstery, creating layers within a room. This basic formula creates a cohesive look and prioritizes the elements that take up the most room visually – rug, then drapes, then couch or chairs, and smaller items after that. Layering creates dimension and texture and continues into your room’s accessories, like throw pillows and blankets. The right rug will help create visual boundaries, especially in open-concept layouts, making spaces feel organized and inviting.

2. Embrace patterns.

According to senior project manager, Kristin Landreth: never underestimate the power of pattern. Tile, fabric, wall color and wallpaper all add dimension to any room and can be thoughtfully curated so not to appear loud or overwhelming when using multiple patterns in one space. Combining complementary colors and varying pattern scales and types like florals, ginghams, and stripes can actually give your space a cohesive, cozy look. Using color in unexpected ways like a vibrant cord on a more muted upholstery piece can add a nice layering effect on the piece of furniture itself.

5. Know (and feel good about) where you’re purchasing from.

Investing in quality home furnishings that you feel good about and know will last can make a world of difference in the overall feel of your home. One well-made piece from a local artisan is worth more than several pieces of mass-produced furniture. The SV Design interiors and décor team prioritizes sourcing products from local vendors whenever possible, and often uses reclaimed materials and stone sourced from quarries in New England. Words of wisdom from senior project manager Shannon Haley, ASID: you have better quality control over what you get in the end when you work with local makers, and you can even see your product being built, start to finish.

6. Don’t forget about the senses.

Engaging all of the senses is key to creating ambiance in your space. Scent can affect the vibe of a home, whether you want your space to feel cozy and woody, or bright and zesty. Candles are a natural go-to, as are flameless options such as aromatherapy diffusers or reed diffusers. Incorporating texture makes a space feel (through touch) inviting and visually interesting. Fabrics such as velvet, leather, and bouclé add richness, where materials like rattan, grasscloth, and stone represent organic, earthy textures. Wood blinds or roman shades, and shiplap or reclaimed wood all bring warmth and dimension to a home.

7. Add Greenery

Plants and greenery breathe life into a space, adding texture and a natural touch. Fresh flowers go a long way in bringing nature indoors, as does a healthy houseplant. Low maintenance potted plants such as succulents, pothos, or snake plants displayed on stands and shelves at different heights add dimension to a room, as does hanging macramé or wall-mounted planters. Climbing vines like ivy or string of pearls create a cascading green effect on walls or bookshelves. If you don’t have a green thumb, consider dried greenery, pampas grass, eucalyptus or a dried bouquet from a local farm or florist.

Bring Your Dream Home to Life with SV Design

With offices in Beverly, Chatham, and Winchester Massachusetts, SV Design’s interior design and décor team has the professional expertise and creativity to take the intimidation out of designing any space in a client’s home. Contact our interior designers today to begin creating your dream home.